The Ghana Football Association(GFA) appointed Chris Hughton as the new head coach of the senior national team, Black Stars, on Sunday, February 12.
Views and opinions have widely thrown into the air by formal players, journalists, and citizens.
Speaking on Mining City Radio, on February 13, Former Black Stars defender, John Paintsil, claimed he didn’t know about the appointment but all the same, it’s a good decision.
But one thing he would like the GFA to do, is to appoint former Black Stars coach, Kwesi Appiah, as part of the technical team.
“I don’t deem this as a new appointment because he was part of the team that went to Qatar and I think he was vital in decision making so I don’t see this as a new appointment. So if he’s appointed, the only thing they have to add up is to appoint Coach Kwesi Appiah in the technical team to assist him.
John Paintsil via Mining City Radio
Why I’m saying this is that, Chris Hughton doesn’t know the culture of Ghana football though he’s very good in Europe and English football.
Ghana has a football culture and Kwesi Appiah has been there for over 10 years, so he knows the “in and outs”, and I think he brought most of the young players. So going forward, if we wish for the best, he should be appointed to help Chris Hughton.
Chris Hughton has been at development sides and he has the knowledge and experience to change things within a short period. So for me, his input in the national team and having the ultimate power to lead the team is very good for the nation and the national team.
What he needs to do is to have someone like Kwesi Appiah I mentioned.
When Chris Hughton get Kwesi Appiah in his team, they can even win the Nations Cup back-to-back because, him having that experience, and Kwesi Appiah also having that experience and also knowing the culture of the game, I think that will be all.
But if left with Chris Hughton alone and the people he’s been appointed with, I don’t think he will be able to deliver as expected. Then he will need more time.
He might even ask for three or four years to get something for us.
But if we need results any moment from now, he’s okay to lead but he needs someone like Kwesi Appiah to support him.
George Boateng can still be part of the technical team but he doesn’t know our culture since he didn’t play Ghana.
Mas-Ud Didi Dramani also knows around the culture but we haven’t seen him in the national scene.
I’m talking about Kwesi Appiah who has been there for more than 10 years.
If we say someone has been with the national team for over a decade, you know what it takes and what it means.
Another good thing is that most players Kwesi Appiah introduced into the the national team are still there.
When building a team, you don’t build based on who you know or where the person is coming from.
But when you check home, you can see someone has built the foundation to a certain level. Especially going into the African Cup of Nations, Chris Hughton and George Boateng don’t know the terrain but Kwesi Appiah knows.
This is my suggestion but the decision by the FA to appoint Chris Hughton is a very good decision but he needs support”.
The duration of Chris Hughton’s contract with the GFA is still unknown to the general public.
Source: John Arthur Bigwig (Mining City Radio)
